LIVE: Music Picks Dec. 8-14

Mark Kozelek, Rick Gerber, Living Legends, and more

THURSDAY 12.8
Mark Kozelek
Kozelek is well-known for both his covers and his own compositions, as formidable as they are. He turned AC/DC's "You Ain't Got a Hold on Me" into a brooding ballad that's as full of melancholy as a cloud-laden sky. Originally making his mark on the Sub Pop label with his first unit, the esteemed indie rock band Red House Painters, he pursued a solo career after the '90s and formed the folk-rock group Sun Kil Moon. Several years ago, he caught heat over some insensitive statements he made toward other bands and female music writers, which soured some fans to his music. But last year found Sun Kil Moon's Universal Themes (Caldo Verde) astounding again, and again offers a reminder that less-than-stellar people can still sometimes create profound works of art. (Brian Staker) The State Room, 638 S. State, 8 p.m., $25, 21+, TheStateRoomSLC.com

Rick Gerber
In September, rock/funk band Badfeather dropped one of the best local releases of the year: Signal Path, produced by Dave Aron (Sublime, Snoop Dogg). It's an incredibly satisfying listen, for sure, showcasing the band's keen musicianship and the songwriting of singer/multi-instrumentalist Rick Gerber, a cat so into music that he performs with Badfeather, the cover band Rick Gerber & the Nightcaps, the folk/Americana duo The Bookends (with his lady, Le Voir's Gillian Chase) and at Molly Bloom's dueling pianos night. On Thursday, however, you're gettin' a Gerber-only show, acoustic and intimate, comprised of his solo compositions and maybe a few oft-requested Badfeather tunes—and perhaps even some Bookends' tunes, if Gerber gets Chase to pop in. Either way, with a guy like Gerber, you're gonna be happy with whatever he decides to play. (Randy Harward) The Hog Wallow, 3200 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, 9:30 p.m., $5, 21+, TheHogWallow.com

How the Grouch Stole Christmas feat. Living Legends, Evidence
The How the Grouch Stole Christmas tour is back for its 10th year—and trust us, this ain't no Dr. Seuss fest. Then again, when the stars of the show have humbly dubbed themselves Living Legends, so modesty isn't exactly at the forefront of their intents. Comprised of rappers Murs, Eligh, Luckyjam, Sunspot Jonz, Scarub, Aesop, Bicasso and, of course, The Grouch himself, this infamously irreverent bunch delivers a punchy yet occasionally poignant sound that's thoughtful, incisive yet always ideal for holidays. Evidence supports, and as one-third of the L.A. hip-hop trio Dilated Peoples, he's known for bringing his own brand of beats to the party while adding to the overall theme of Christmas chaos. A former aficionado of skateboards and graffiti, Evidence is an established industry veteran who, like Santa, consistently delivers the goods. As for the Grouch, we suspect he'll provide anything but a cranky Christmas. (Lee Zimmerman) The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 8 p.m., $30 in advance, $35 day of, DepotSLC.com

SLC Rock Camp for Girls Fundraiser
Last August saw the inaugural Rock Camp for Girls, a week-long event where girls of all ages got together to bond and make some noise. The camp, musical director Secily Saunders (Elytra, ex-Canyons) told City Weekly at the time, teaches social skills alongside musical ones in order to "help girls, in a short, very intense amount of time, learn about their gender and how that is expressed through music, and how they can become better and stronger people." This show will raise funds for next year and features performances from the four bands formed at the first-ever camp: Flux Tiger, Gotham Squad, Frantastic and The Sass. Come out and show your support for these future rock 'n' roll badasses. (Randy Harward) Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7 p.m., $6, KilbyCourt.com

SATURDAY 12.10
Steve Vai
Steve Vai is an alpha shredder, the gold standard by which we judge all extended, frenzied, masturbatory guitar solos. He's at once intensely devilish (remember the baleful look in his eyes when he played for Beelzebub's team against Ralph Macchio in the head-cutting guitar showdown from Crossroads?) and a flower-lovin' total-Zen peacenik. Actually, let's say ostensible peacenik. Although his music and overall aesthetic are peppered with flowers and peace symbols and New Age imagery, he told BraveWords.com in 2014 that his music "is not political; I do not make statements." Well, that's not exactly true; his mind-scrambling fretwork—so speedy, melodic and soulful—speaks volumes. Hence, this 25th anniversary tour for his classic Passion and Warfare, which he performs front-to-back nightly. (RH) The Complex, 536 W. 100 South, 7 p.m., $25 in advance, $30 day of, TheComplexSLC.com

The Funky Furnace Winter Soul-stice with DJ Feral Cat
DJ Feral Cat's (Sam Stinson) Soulville nights at Burt's Tiki Lounge (RIP) and The Urban Lounge are the only place in town where you can hear real soul music. Not the perfectly fine neo-soul of Sharon Jones (RIP), Charles Bradley or Lee Fields & the Expressions, but the O.G. stuff—the true notes put out decades ago on labels like Stax/Volt, Brunswick, Okeh and Hi, on the original 45s so, Stinson says, you "people can really feel the blasting analog grooves." That goooood soul music where even the sad songs make you happy, coupled with the holiday feel-goods, means this show's gonna elevate your mood so much that you can high-five Santa if he happens to take a Saturday-night test flight. Come early, though, to make sure you can get in. The last Soulville event at Urban a couple of months back was "packed," according to Stinson. "People were dancing all wild and crazy," he says. (RH) The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 9:30 p.m., free before 10:30 p.m., $3 after, 21+, TheUrbanLoungeSLC.com

MONDAY 12.12
The Wood Brothers, Ben Sollee
There's nothing like the bond between brothers—except of course when the brothers involved are the Kinks' Ray and Dave Davies, or Oasis' notoriously spiteful duo Noel and Liam Gallagher. Yet while those feuding siblings represent the negative side of the brotherly bond, Chris and Oliver Wood show that family ties can remain intact especially when they're musical mates. Granted, it took a while for that pairing to be perfected, since each had individual gigs to tend to before. Chris had seen success as part of the trio Medeski Martin & Wood, while Oliver toured with Tinsley Ellis prior to going out on his own. Now united, and with drummer Jano Rix in tow, they boast six albums that reflect a singular blend of rock, blues and Americana, all in perfect harmony. It's a sound so natural that it could only come from those who share the same genes. Here's one case where blood beats barbs. (LZ) The State Room, 638 S. State, 9 p.m., sold out, 21+, TheStateRoomSLC.com

WEDNESDAY 12.14
Red Fang, Torche, Whores
Portland stoner/sludge metal act Red Fang is the kind of angry noise you're liable to find yourself toe-tapping to—maybe even smiling. With all the venom and menace inherent in heavy metal music, the best acts in the genre remember that music is first and foremost an instrument of pleasure, even if sometimes it comes from the banging of heads. In just over 10 years, they've carved a niche for themselves, and have grown with each release. Their most recent is Only Ghosts (Relapse, 2016), and as the wavy optical illusion-y cover art implies, they care a great deal about the sound, shaping waveforms to penetrate your skull like an incisor. Openers include Miami sludgers Torche and Atlanta quartet Whores, who yield interesting results when you enter their moniker into the Googlebox. (BS) The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 7 p.m., $22, 21+, TheUrbanLoungeSLC.com

About The Authors

Bio:
An accomplished writer, blogger and reviewer, Zimmerman contributes to several local and national publications, including No Depression, Paste, Relix and Goldmine. The music obsessive says he owns too many albums to count and numerous instruments he’s yet to learn.